Gearing up for the holiday season? Here are some season-specific things to think about as you get prepared for this busy time of year.
5 things to be mindful of this holiday season
1. Charity scams. The holiday season is usually an important and busy time for legitimate charities looking to raise money for those in need. Unfortunately, thereâs also an increase in charity scams. There are at least 10 red flags you can watch out for. For example, if the charity is unregistered, thereâs a chance it could be a scam. Learn how to avoid charity scams.
2. The âSecret Sisterâ gift exchange. Were you promised 36 gifts in exchange for sending one gift valued at $10? There are some precautions you may want to consider before participating in a âSecret Sisterâ gift exchange. While we canât say for sure whether a certain gift exchange is legitimate or not, if you are promised something that is worth more than what youâre expected to pay, it may be a pyramid scheme. Learn to spot the signs of a pyramid scheme.
3. Return and refund policies. Buying presents for friends and family? In BC, retail stores are allowed to set their own return and refund policies. Thatâs why itâs so important to ask each store about their policy before buying gifts this year.
4. Gift card rules. Chances are many of you are purchasing gift cards for friends and family this season. Certain gift cards are allowed to expire (or have fees) and some do not. Before you do your shopping, learn what the law says about expiration dates and fees for gift cards.
5. Counterfeit goods. If youâre shopping for gifts online, it can sometimes be easy to mistake a fake website for a legitimate one and end up purchasing counterfeit goods. Learn how to protect yourself from counterfeit goods.
Did we miss anything? Whatâs something you think people should be mindful of this holiday season? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Where to go for help
We oversee BC’s gift card laws in the province, including when they are allowed to expire or charge fees. If you want to learn more about the rules, explore more information and resources about gift cards on our website.
We have no authority when it comes to scams or fraud. If you are the victim of a scam, you should be report it to your local law enforcement and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
About Consumer Protection BC
We are not-for-profit regulator responsible for overseeing certain industries and specific consumer transactions in British Columbia. If your concern is captured under the laws we enforce, we will use the tools at our disposal to assist you. If we canât help you directly, we will try to offer a referral to a relevant organization, if one exists. Other times, court or legal assistance may be the best option. Explore our website at www.consumerprotectionbc.ca.
Did you like this? You might like these posts too!
Whatâs your refund policy?
The 10 red flags of charity scams
Be careful with the âSecret Sisterâ gift exchange
The gift of gift cards
Tips to protect yourself from buying counterfeit goods
Don’t make online gift purchases from unknown companies. Some never ship out merchandise after they are paid.